Kilkee estate residents divided over ramps

RESIDENTS living in the Marian Estate in Kilkee are divided on the need for ramps, which would help to prevent speeding. While seeking the installation of a speed ramp at the 78-house estate entrance, Mayor of Kilkee Claire Haugh acknowledged that not everybody living in the area wants ramps.

 

“There’s divided opinion on the ramps. A lot of people don’t want them,” Councillor Haugh acknowledged, although she said that one could be helpful in reducing instances of speeding in the estate, which was opened in 1976.

“Hopefully, it would act as a deterrent. It’s happening a lot,” she added.

Kilkee Town Clerk John Corry said the gardaí would have to be informed of speeding concerns by the general public if ramps were to be installed.

“The county council have to be guided by the gardaí on this,” Mr Corry explained.

Councillor Karen O’Reilly said Marian Estate residents were afraid to report instances of speeding and felt telling their local councillors was sufficient.

“They’re afraid of their lives. We’re their representatives. That’s what they elected us for,” Councillor Reilly said.

Councillor Haugh said it was impossible for some Marian Estate residents to complain about speeding because most of them were in bed when it happened.

“A lot of this happens in the twilight hours. If you’re fast asleep inside in bed, it’s very hard to ring the guards,” the town mayor noted.

However, Councillor Paddy Collins claimed the the placement of ramps had nothing to do with the gardaí.

“There needs to be justification for it,” Mr Corry replied.

Councillors complained that the shortage of ramps in the Marian Estate has been on the council agenda several times in recent years.

“It’s ridiculous how often it’s coming up,” Councillor Reilly stated.

Incidents of speeding in the estate in Kilkee were highlighted as far back as the July 2009 meeting of the town council. Councillor Claire Haugh requested the provision of up to six ramps in the estate to slow down speeding cars, describing the need for ramps as “very necessary”.

Councillor Karen Reilly, who was attending her first meeting of the council at the time, supported the call for ramps.

“There have been several accidents down there. There’s terrible speeding,” Councillor Reilly commented.

“I think the guards are more than aware of that,” the Fine Gael town councillor added.